Central Falls Awarded $20,000 TD Green Space Grant for Innovative Urban Forestry Initiatives in Underserved Neighborhoods

CENTRAL FALLS– Today, Mayor James A. Diossa announced that Central Falls received a $20,000 USD TD Green Space Grant from TD Bank Group (TD) and the Arbor Day Foundation to support innovative urban greening and tree planting projects in underserved areas of the community which was used to plant about 50 trees in the city.

Central Falls used the grant to host, with its partners Groundwork Rhode Island and the Pawtucket-Central Falls Green Change Makers, to plant trees along Higginson Avenue and provide an educational experience for the volunteers. Central Falls was one of 20 U.S. and Canadian cities selected for the grant.

“Green spaces play a critical role in creating more vibrant and livable cities. Not only do they provide environmental benefits, but they also provide social and economic benefits to cities and the people within them,” said Andrea Barrack, Global Head of Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship, TD. “We are proud to work with the Arbor Day Foundation to support innovative community programs in cities including Central Falls that are striving to create a more inclusive and sustainable tomorrow.”

“Our goal with this grant program is to help communities not only enrich their green spaces but also enrich lives,” said Dan Lambe, President, Arbor Day Foundation. “We are supporting Central Falls in its effort to build awareness about the benefits of trees, educate residents on proper tree care, and lay the groundwork for a greener future.”

City of Central Falls hosted a tree planting using the TD Green Space Grant for Innovative Urban Forestry Initiatives in Underserved Neighborhoods funds. The initial event was scheduled for April of 2020 in coordination with the annual Earth Day and Arbor Day events, however had to be rescheduled due to the pandemic. Groundwork Rhode Island, a local organization, will be providing the volunteers to plant the trees including adults and youth who pledge to help the City plant new greenery in the City. The City thanks TD Bank, the Arbor Day Foundation, Groundwork Rhode Island, the Pawtucket Central Falls Green Change Makers, and the Brown and Whittet-Higgins families for the use of their land as the perfect location for the planting.

“I am thankful to TD Bank and the Arbor Day Foundation for awarding us the Green Space Grant for Innovative Urban Forestry,” said Mayor James A. Diossa. “We pride ourselves on our green initiatives like the annual Earth Day and Arbor Day celebrations, our Green and Complete Streets project, and now we have the opportunity to plant over 50 trees because of this event. Thank you to all of the volunteers through Groundwork Rhode Island and the Pawtucket-Central Falls Green Change Makers who want to help make Central Falls beautiful.”

TD provides funding for the grants, which are awarded annually for tree planting, maintenance costs and educational activities. The program is administered by the Arbor Day Foundation. TD Green Space Grants are made possible as part of the TD Ready Commitment, TD’s global corporate citizenship platform aimed at opening doors to a more inclusive and sustainable tomorrow.

To be eligible for a grant, qualified municipalities must be within TD’s footprint in the United States and Canada. Priority was given to projects occurring in underserved areas of the local community. For communities applying within the U.S., preference was given to currently recognized Tree City USA® communities or those interested in becoming a Tree City USA community over the next calendar year.

In addition to Central Falls, other grant recipients this year are:

United States:

• Washington, D.C.

• Miami, Florida

• Palatka, Florida

• Lawrence, Massachusetts

• Baltimore, Maryland

• Clifton, New Jersey

• Flushing, New York

• Asheville, North Carolina

• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Canada:

• Strathmore, Alberta

• Fredericton, New Brunswick

• Riverview, New Brunswick

• Brampton, Ontario

• Mississauga, Ontario

• Hamilton, Ontario

• Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec

• Montreal, Quebec

• New Westminster, British Columbia